Hersey Hawkins is a retired American professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 12 seasons. He was born on September 29, 1966, in Chicago, Illinois, and attended Bradley University, where he played college basketball for four years.
Hawkins was selected as the sixth overall pick in the 1988 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Clippers, but he was immediately traded to the Philadelphia 76ers. He played for the 76ers for five seasons, from 1988 to 1993, and was one of the team's leading scorers during that time. He was known for his accurate shooting and his ability to score from long range.
In 1993, Hawkins was traded to the Charlotte Hornets, where he played for three seasons. He continued to be a consistent scorer for the Hornets, and he was named to the NBA All-Star team in 1991 and 1992. In 1996, he was traded to the Seattle SuperSonics, where he played for four seasons. He was a key player for the SuperSonics during his time there, and he helped the team reach the NBA Finals in 1996.
Hawkins finished his NBA career with the Chicago Bulls, where he played for one season in 2001. He retired from professional basketball after the 2001 season.
Throughout his career, Hawkins was known for his scoring ability and his accuracy from the three-point line. He was also a solid defender and a good rebounder for his size. He finished his career with averages of 14.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game.
After retiring from basketball, Hawkins became a college basketball coach. He served as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Bradley University, from 2007 to 2010. He then became the head coach at his high school alma mater, Westinghouse College Prep in Chicago, where he coached for two seasons.
Hawkins was inducted into the Bradley University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Philadelphia 76ers Hall of Fame in 2000. He is also a member of the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
Overall, Hersey Hawkins had a successful career in the NBA, and he was a consistent scorer and a solid all-around player throughout his 12 seasons in the league. He is remembered as one of the best shooters of his era and as a player who always gave his best effort on the court.
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